naturebox snacks for back to school {special offer!}

Are you all back to school yet? We have a couple more weeks before we begin but I am already stocking up on everything I need for school lunches and snacks. One of the biggest jobs of back to school is getting back into the routine of making lunches. It is always a challenge of finding healthy options that are also quick and convenient. Life is busy, so I got to make it easy on myself! I want my kids to be able to have variety and not get bored of snacks and lunches.

I recently tried NatureBox and was really happy with it. NatureBox delivers a world of carefully sourced and nutritionist-approved foods right to your door. Talk about convenience!

NatureBox is also healthy. Each snack contains wholesome ingredients - with no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors. That is a huge draw for me because I want my kids to have good snacks that will fuel them with energy to get their work and activities done.

When you join NatureBox, you'll receive five different snacks every month. You can choose the snacks you want or be surprised with their carefully curated selections. Got a dietary goal or taste preference? NatureBox has 100+ snacks to excite and delight every palate. It is so great that you can make different selections and get a variety that your whole family will enjoy.

I tried 5 different snacks and they were all super tasty! Check out the NatureBox Snack Catalog to see all the delicious snack options you can choose from!

NatureBox snacks are perfect for getting back into the swing of back to school, whether it's in the lunchbox, carpooling, or for after school snacking!

Click here to get 50% off your first month’s NatureBox delivery! ($10 value) using promo code: SNACKTOSCHOOL

Promotion is good for 50% off your first month to month box or $10 off your first box in your first prepaid subscription. New and US subscribers only. Not valid on gift subscriptions and may not be combined with any other offers.


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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swiffer big green box

Anyone else have a hard time keeping up with your house cleaning? I know I do! I love a clean house, so that's not the issue. The issue is finding the time to get everything cleaned up and keeping it clean with 3 boys in the house (4 if you count the husband)! It's just a reality of having kids, they are messy! I try to deep clean as often as I can, but often times there is just time for a quick clean up.

Enter my friends at Swiffer. Have you seen their big green box commercials? I love them. I love seeing people get those boxes and get so excited about some simple tools to clean their homes. I am a big fan of Swiffer products. And lucky for me...I recently got my own big green box!

It was filled with items that are perfect for my home full of boys. Swiffer sweeper and swiffer dusters are truly a staple in my home. I love the dusters because they really get in those hard places. It uses thousands of fluffy fibers that change shape to trap dust without spreading it around!

It is also so great that Swiffer products are easy for my kids to use so I can help them learn hard work and have them help with the chores. Especially since they helped make the mess! Swiffer actually makes it fun and easy for others to help out with cleaning. This leaves people with more time to enjoy what matters most to them, and less time worrying about or dealing with the mess at home.

Swiffer gave me a big green box to deliver to a friend and I was so excited to share the Swiffer love! Can you tell me friend was pretty surprised and excited?

She has three little ones at home too so we chatted over all the supplies about how great they are and she was so happy to get to work using the Swiffer sweeper.

We couldn't believe how much junk the sweeper picked up despite her already vacuumed floor. Impressive!

I was so happy to share Swiffer with my friend and to have it in my own home! It really does make cleaning up quick and easy.



I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Crochet Eye Candy

Whispers Shawl is finished!  I must say this has been one of my favorite crochet projects.  I credit it to the yarn and the simple pattern.  The pattern is a $4.50 download on Ravelry.  Quite the bargain if you ask me! 

I used 2 balls Chroma Fingering Weight in the color Roller Skate for the shawl, and crocheted it with a Size E Hook. 

Here is more eye-candy.

Phoebe also gave her stamp of approval! 

I have already started a new knitting project, which is working up very fast, so maybe I will have another post in a few days!!

Bye for now!

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Gummy VItamins in Disney and Marvel Shapes {NatureSmart}

This post was sponsored by NBTY through their partnership with Circle of Moms by POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by Circle of Moms by POPSUGAR to write a post about NatureSmart Vitamins, all opinions are my own.

With three boys in my house life can get pretty hectic, especially in summer. We are often out having fun at the beach or pool and playing for long hours each day! Sometimes I am too exhausted to cook dinner on those nights, or we are rushing off to another activity so we grab takeout or I whip up something really quick. I always try to include some fruits and veggies but let’s be honest, sometimes it is just hard to ensure my kids are getting all the vitamins they need. My doctor has recommended giving vitamins to my boys and then when they are picky about certain foods I can still feel good that they are getting what they need.


Vitamins can be kind of yucky tasting though and it can be hard to get your kids to eat them! My boys love Disney and Marvel so when I saw Gummy Vitamins in Disney and Marvel shapes, I was super excited to try them out!


Of course they love the Marvel ones the best because they think they are so cool, but they aren’t ashamed to eat the princess ones either! They have different flavors and my boys love them all! They actually beg me to eat their vitamins which is wonderful.  I am so happy they enjoy them and they think they are so fun.

I also love that the bottle has a viewing tool on the side so you can see how many vitamins are left in the bottle and know when to buy more.

If you have a kid who is picky about vitamins I urge you to try the Gummy Vitamins in Disney and Marvel shapes. Not only will they love the fun shapes and familiar characters, but they will love the taste!



Disney Elements ©Disney,
Disney/Pixar Elements ©Disney/Pixar
Manufactured by NatureSmart, LLC
©MARVEL Manufactured by Rexall Sundown, Inc.

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Q's race to the top game {emotional intelligence}

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and EQtainment, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia  #Qsracetothetop http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

One of my family's favorite things to do is play games together! We love it and I love that it really bonds and we have so many great laughs and fun times when we play. I got to try out a really fun game recently called Q's Race to the Top and I am excited to introduce you to this great game company.




EQtainment helps kids practice emotional intelligence through fun and affordable games, storybooks, and video. We hear a lot about emotional intelligence and how important it is for kids to develop! Think of EQ as all the important skills outside of their IQ or academic education, such as self control, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Studies have shown that having a high emotional quotient boosts career success, relationship satisfaction, leadership skills, health, humor, and happiness. It is definitely something I want my kids to learn.

We tried Qs Race to the Top from EQtainment and had so much fun with it! My kids loved it and I felt like they were learning great skills while having a ton of fun. It also comes with a book for the kids to read which is an awesome bonus!

What I love about the game is that there are three categories/colors of cards that the kids get to choose based on what color square they land on. The three categories are based on behavior, social skills, and physical coordination. They get asked to do different tasks or answer questions. It really got my kids thinking about different social situations and what the appropriate response is. It was especially helpful for my almost 5 year old to hear what things he should be thinking of in different situations.

They really had fun with some of the physical challenges. Some of them were even tricky for mom which got the boys really giggling!

I think playing games as a family is such a great way to enjoy quality time together and build strong relationships. It is even better when a company like EQtainment makes games that really focus on great skills for kids and learning experiences that focus on emotional intelligence.

Check out the EQtainment Kickstarter Campaign!

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Wicked Time of Year ... Black Cat Crossing

It is getting to be that time of year again...when we have reason to be WICKED! For the third year, I have the honor of hosting another Wicked hop with Madame Samm of SewWeQuilt.com who has brewed up another cauldron of fun for all of us by working with Maywood Studio and their Black Cat Crossing collection. 

Be sure to visit SewWeQuilt.com for more information on the collection and a chance to receive some of this frightfully fantastic fabric!  She also has links to several shops that have this material available for purchase.

I consider these hops a great way to share what we create, encourage those who participate, and be inspired by everyone who contributes.

If you would like to play along with us, please send me:

YOUR NAME
Your Email

Blog name
Blog URL

and be sure to include "Ready to be WICKED" in the subject line.

As always ... please read the Guidelines ...

1. Anyone and everyone can participate in our HOPS.
2. CREATE something that SHOUTS BLACK CAT CROSSING...
3. BE a cheerleader for all those who participate, there is nothing as heartfelt as your lovely comments.
4. Please turn off your word verification the day of your post…you really do not want to miss any comments. YOU have no idea how that one comment can be a life changer.
5. Be sure to add your post at midnight EST. WE have visitors all around the world who like to get up like we do in North America to your lovely creations.
6. Please ADD everyone including YOUR blog on your post that day, so we can find everyone as easily as we found you.
7. MOST IMPORTANT, commit, if you don't, you have taken the spot of someone else who I will be hearing about, trust me there.
8. Add the button to your blog so everyone will note your Black Cat projects.

I look forward to hearing from you soon ... 

until then ... Happy Stitching!

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Hooky Color Goodness

Looky!!  I finally got a start on the Whispers Shawl!!   I am loving it.  It is working up so quick!  If you are wanting to give it a try I do have a couple of suggestions.  (1) use a fingering weight yarn, and a yarn that has the self striping change in colors.  Knitpicks has a line of yarn called Chroma that works perfectly for this.  (2) I am using a size E hook.  It may feel strange if you are a tight crocheter, but you will be happy with the results!  Both the yarn and the hook gives the shawl a gorgeous drape and weight.

I was so excited watching the colors change into each other I snapped a couple more pictures to post.

I have a feeling I will be wearing this quite a bit once the weather cools off!

I have been doing some knitting as well.  I found a fun pattern on Ravelry for this infinity scarf it is called the Honey Cowl and I am loving ir!!

The Yarn I was using is by Knitpicks, It was in my Thriftstore Yarn Score that I had posted a couple of weeks ago,  It is called Peciosa "'Mulled", 100% Merino Worsted Weight.  I don't believe they sell it any longer.  Shame, it knits up so pretty!

Pretty!!!!!

How's about a little selfie of me modeling the scarf and my fresh new hair did!!  I have decided to try and grow it out a little for a change.  I am also doing my best to do some low carbing, too!!!  I am at that point where it is still hard, it takes a while and a lot of determination to get my mind and body off the carbs!!!  They are so yummy, and I loves me some pizza and chocolate milk!  Oh the inhumanity of it all!!!

So Sunday is winding down, Monday is closing in...I am trying to get ready for the week.  The weekends go by so fast.  I am crossing my fingers for a good week, and going to do my best to stick with the diet!

Bye for now!!

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